Aftermath
Sequel to Just One Life to Gamble
Chapter One: Well-Wishers
In the week following Leia Organa's heavily publicized rescue from the terrorist leader Zathron, it seemed that half of Coruscant had shown up at her door. Her bedside table was so full of flowers and get-well cards, she could no longer see her clock. This was a good thing, because seeing proof that time really was crawling would probably drive her to insanity.
On the stern orders of several medical droids, she was confined to bed rest while her broken leg and ribs healed. Leia likened it to being under house arrest. Returning to her old apartment was out of the question. Zathron's raid had left it in ruins and convinced most of her colleagues that it was not a suitable lodging for a Senator. She'd taken up residence with her brother Luke until she could find a new place. Luke was extremely pleased with the arrangement. He claimed it was because she would be close to the planet's best hospitals, but Leia knew differently. A few broken bones weren't going to put her into immediate danger. He just wanted her close by, where he could keep an eye on her.
A knock on the door interrupted Leia's mystery novel for the third time that morning. She sighed and closed the book. It lost its suspense the second time through, anyways. Luke opened the door. "Good morning," he said. Leia echoed his sentiments with her automatic politician's smile.
"Leia, this is Captain Jeffersom."
"Not anymore," Jeffersom said, removing his hat. "The powers-that-be didn't appreciate my, er, creative interpretation of company policy." He shrugged. "Just call me Bill."
"Thank you, Bill," Leia said. She shook his hand. "I'm sorry about your job. Maybe if I talk to the Department..."
"Don't worry," Bill said. "There must be plenty of jobs out there for a guy like me." He grinned. "This is just a chance to try something new, you know?"
Leia couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "Good for you."
"Well, I should go," he said. "I don't want to interfere with your rest. Good luck. I'm sure you'll be up and back to saving the galaxy in no time."
Leia laughed. "Yeah, as soon as I catch up on all my paper work. Thanks for coming by. I appreciate it."
"No problem, Senator."
"And thank you for rescuing me. I wouldn't be here without you."
Bill blushed. "Just doing my job... Well, goodbye."
"Goodbye." Luke led him to the door.
"What a nice guy," Leia remarked. She yawned. The variety of medications shoved daily down her throat left her drowsy, no matter how much caffeine she consumed. She reached for her cup of coffee, but Luke caught her hand.
"Go get some sleep," he ordered. "I'll fend off your visitors."
"Don't get all motherly on me, Skywalker," Leia said irritably. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." She picked up the book again and tried to read. It wasn't until the second page that she realized it was upside down.
"Leia..."
"Okay, I get the picture. I'm going to sleep." Stiffly, she reached over to turn off her lamp. Luke attempted to help her readjust her pillows. She glared at him. "Relax. I can handle this. It's bad enough the rest of the world thinks I belong in a padded suit of armor. I don't need you on my back, too."
"Sorry, Leia, but sometimes you don't know when to accept help."
"I do too-" Leia pulled the blankets up to her neck. "Why am I arguing with you? Go away so I can get some sleep."
Luke rolled his eyes. "Call me if you need anything. Sleep well."
"You too," Leia mumbled, and fell reluctantly into the waiting arms of slumber.